“Our honor to assist, James. But about that Key West business. Perhaps you could delay Random’s departure for a few days. I have an idea that will assist us both and enhance our operations on this coast. Rork is bringing the runner’s master over to Annie in a moment. Could we have a conference in your cabin prior to their arrival?”
“Oh Lord, Peter Wake. I have seen that look in your eyes before. You’ve a notion in that head of yours that will be the grief or the glory of the both of us, don’t you?”
“Tons, James. Just tons of grief, or maybe even glory!”
Wake grinned and followed his friend down the ladder to the cabin that was as cramped as its counterpart on the St. James. Once in his cabin, Williams related how he had been at the very southern end of his patrol station by Clearwater and saw the Random coming north out of a squall line. The chase had taken all evening, concluding just as the St. James had come upon them. Williams had known he was playing a dangerous game in those shallow waters but felt that it was worth it.
Wake narrated his own adventures along the coast on this mission. Then he explained the plan that had come to him on the deck of the Random. Williams enthusiastically added his own refinements to the scheme and both prepared for the coming interview with Young. For the first time in quite a while, Wake was pleased with how events were unfolding. The initial steps of the plan had already come together. Key West, and even Linda, could wait a few days more.
After Wake and Williams had completed their talk, Rork was told to bring Young into the cabin. The chart of the coast of Florida from the Cedar Keys to the Saint Marks River was unfolded on the table before them as the four men gathered around it. Wake spoke directly to the Englishman.
“Young, show us the channel leading into Deadman’s Bay.”
Young said nothing, but began to sullenly trace the channel on the chart with a tobacco-stained finger. Afterward he looked up at Wake, who continued.
“Now tell us the following: controlling depth at low tide, tacking width, and the location of stakes or marks.”
Young did as he was told, with Williams taking notes of the information gained.
Wake went on to inquire about the depths in the Steinhatchee River, which flowed into the bay and had the docks at which ships were loaded and offloaded. They also learned the type and number of ships that might be there, Confederate militia forces in the area, and names of prominent persons who were disaffected with the Confederacy. Young answered all the questions, starting out with some hesitation but gaining in assertiveness as he went along. When he had finished, the Englishman got quiet and sat down in the one chair of the cabin without permission. A barely perceptible question came out of him, like air from a deflating balloon.
“You’re going to make me take Random in there with your men aboard, aren’t you?”
Wake smiled at Young for the first time since they had met.
“Mister Young, I think you have failed to comprehend the scope of this operation. Of course, we are going to have you take us through Deadman’s Bay and into the river on the Random. But then we will capture the ships there, capture any cotton and turpentine on the docks, burn the depot, and rescue off any loyal United States refugees. And you, Mister Young, are going to demonstrate to one and all your affinity for our cause and thus the indisputable reason for our not putting you in a prison as an enemy of our country. And furthermore, we will ensure that our Southern cousins know of your services to the United States, so that they will never again try to tempt you to become mired in our affairs of conflict.”
Young made no verbal response. He just hung his head, staring at the chart.
“And one more thing, Mister Young.”
The head came up, flaccid eyes gazing at Wake.
“Bosun Rork here will be right by you every step of the way to ensure your wholehearted participation in the operation. Do not give him the impression that you are doing otherwise. Are you clear on all this?”
The mumbling was close enough to an affirmative that Wake nodded to Rork to take the man away to the St. James. The two naval captains had some other decisions to make, and time was of the essence as they talked over exactly how they were going to accomplish all that they wanted. Williams laughed as Wake climbed down the side into his dinghy for the short row back to the St. James.
“Well, Peter, in for a penny, in for a pound. If all goes well in two days time, you and I will have redeemed ourselves with that admiral down in Key West. He couldn’t think any worse of me, anyway.”
“James, I am afraid it will take more than a victory to convert the man’s opinion of me. Something of more biblical proportions might be needed for that miracle!”
The two men, both volunteer officers who had been former merchant mates and now found themselves in the deadly serious business of naval war, shared a final grin and good-bye. They knew they would not meet again until after the attack.
Seven hours later the sun set in a resplendent display following a rare afternoon with no storm. The three vessels sailed out to the west, and seemingly into the cosmic work of art, as darkness enveloped the eastern horizon behind them. Wake hoped that word of the capture was not spread on the coast. In fact, it was crucial to the success of his plan since surprise equaled safety, and any
